San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced this week the creation of the Innovation and Technology Committee, a seven-person team that will work closely with the city's Innovation Office to develop smart city initiatives.

The committee will focus on a number of goals including enhancing cybersecurity, promoting digital inclusion, improving mobility, expanding municipal broadband and pursuing economic opportunity.

The committee, led by Councilman Manny Pelaez, includes both public and private citizens. "We intend to harness the mutual interests of all stakeholders in order to create an innovation and technology ecosystem that attracts long-lasting investment in San Antonio," Pelaez said in a press statement.

Cincinnati Enquirer — The Cincinnati area will get new help in its opioid fight through a pilot partnership with U.S. Homeland Security’s Science and Technology division that could yield a nationwide response to the epidemic.

CINCINNATI -- A partnership among businesses, educators and agencies is working to turn Cincinnati into the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. Local schools are training the next generation of cyber experts.

A few days before Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, Eric Bailey asked, “Has anyone researched news sites capability to provide low-bandwidth communication of critical info during crisis situations?” The question was timely — two days later, CNN announced that they created a text-only version of their site.

On Friday, September 14th, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke will host her panel entitled "Smart Cities and You Part II: A Movement for Inclusion to Seize 21st Century Opportunities" during CBCF's 48th Annual Legislative Conference.